UK Venues to Implement Terrorism Protection Under Martyn's Law
A new law in the UK will require venues with a capacity of over 200 people to implement terrorism protection measures. Known as Martyn’s Law, the legislation was introduced in response to the 2017 Manchester Arena attack that killed 22 people.
The bill was formally introduced to parliament on September 12, 2024, and aims to ensure venues are better prepared to respond to potential terrorist threats.
Martyn’s Law mandates that venues with capacities between 200 and 799 must have basic safety plans, including training staff on securing entrances and identifying safe cover routes. Larger venues, those with a capacity of more than 800, will be required to implement additional safety measures, such as hiring security staff and installing CCTV systems. The law follows years of campaigning by the mother of Martyn Hett, a victim of the Manchester attack, and was highlighted in the King’s Speech in July 2024.
While industry bodies, such as the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), have welcomed the new legislation as a key step in improving public safety, concerns have been raised about the financial impact on venues. Michael Kill, CEO of the NTIA, emphasised the need to balance security improvements with practical implementation, noting the potential operational and financial challenges that smaller venues may face in complying with the new requirements.
